CREATE … origami heart valentines | with yummy earth lollipops

The boys had so much fun making these (and are still making)!! I’ll have to admit they are pretty addictive! They stamped and painted an array of red and pink designs with pinecones and acorns on to copy paper. I cut the designs into 2-1/2″ by 5″ pieces and they started folding away. My youngest is seven and had no trouble folding these simple origami designs, so it may even be an easy design for a younger child. Below I have more detailed instructions on the origami folding. We also added in a Yummy Earth lollipop for a healthier treat option.

These Yummy Earth lollipops are the perfect (healthier) treat to add to the origami hearts but the origami hearts alone would also make a great Valentine without candy. They can also write a quick note and slip into the back side of the heart and secure with washi tape.

SUPPLIES

8-1/2 ” copy paper, decorative paper, or a 5″ by 5″ origami sheet. One sheet of 8-1/2″ x 11″ paper will make six 2-1/2″ x 5″ rectangles to fold into 6 hearts.

Start by letting your child paint plain paper, use a decorative paper, or use a 5″ x 5″ origami sheet. If your child would like to decorate white paper the possibilities are endless. We used a variety of natural materials and paint. Acorn caps for circles and pine cones for brush marks.

After papers are dry cut them into 2-1/2″ x 5″ rectangles. You may want to do this part for the kids since the origami folding will be more precise if the rectangles are correctly measured and cut.

Take a look at this tutorial for the origami folding and test a couple with your child to make sure they feel confident. The tutorial shows the design starting with a 5″ by 5″ origami sheet which is then cut in half to the 2-1/2″ x5″ size. The original idea came from this Wall of Love by You Are My Fave using this same tutorial.

After the hearts are complete add in a Yummy Earth lollipop and a note. It works well to fold in the wrapper around the lollipop before placing into the heart. Open the heart, place the lollipop in and secure with washi tape. They could also sign their name with a sharpie on pieces of washi tape before placing on the heart instead of adding the note. Another option as I mentioned above would be using only the origami heart with a note without the candy.

If you would like more valentine ideas take a look at the side bar of this page and also on the Five and One DIY page in the Valentine category.